About Me

In all my years as a daughter, wife, mother, grandmother, friend, and professional, I am convinced that our lives are deeply influenced by people and relationships. I have a passion for helping clients make sense of their experiences and for enriching their relationship with others and with themselves. Since 2003, I have worked extensively with couples and individuals on a variety of issues, including:

Communication and listening skills

Problem solving

Job loss

Goal setting

Self esteem

Life transitions

Stress, anxiety, and depression

Family of origin concerns

Blended family concerns

My specialties include working with:

Couples in crisis

Families who have a loved one suffering with a mental illness.

I particularly enjoy working with individuals and couples regarding parenting issues at all life stages and in all types of family arrangements (step, blended, single parents, divorced, and traditional). Many of my clients are single people adjusting to life transitions.

I hold a Master of Arts degree in Marriage and Family Therapy from George Fox University (2004). I have worked as a Couples and Family Counselor at The William Temple House in NW Portland since then, and currently also serve there in a supervisory/training capacity to Counseling and MFT interns completing their Masters degrees. As a clinical member of the American Association for Marriage and Family Therapy, I observe a strict code of ethics and am trained in diagnosis, assessment, and treatment.

The Marriage and Family Therapy degree consists of the full Professional Counseling core of classes with additional specialization in couples and family work. Specialized coursework included Advanced Marriage Therapy, Advanced Family Therapy, Substance Abuse From a Systemic Perspective, Relationship Assessment, and Play Therapy.